Australia’s AI regulation to face some much needed scrutiny
Australia’s AI regulation to face some much needed scrutiny | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Australia’s AI regulation to face some much needed scrutiny 2026-06-10 Submissions are now open for the Senate inquiry that will look into artificial intelligence data centres in Australia.
The inquiry, to be chaired by Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, comes amid growing community concerns amidst rapid expansion of energy-hungry AI infrastructure and is an opportunity for communities to have their voices heard on how data centres will impact them. The inquiry will examine the environmental, economic and social impacts of AI data centres, including their energy and water consumption, effects on local communities and Australia’s regulatory system.
Comments attributable to Sarah Hanson-Young, Chair of the Artificial intelligence and data centres inquiry and Greens spokesperson for communications, environment and water: “AI is the new extractive industry and Australia’s regulations are lagging behind. “Like the gas industry, these massive data miners want to extract Australia’s resources for free, paying very little for the data, water and energy all used to make their huge corporate profits.
“Australia is sleepwalking into an AI catastrophe. If we don’t put the handbrakes on this rapid data centre development our communities, energy, and water resources will be at risk. “Right now we’re seeing a push across Australia to build huge data mining centres with little community consultation and very little given back to the community - all just to line the pockets of the big tech companies.
“Not only are they extracting our intelligence, our knowledge, and our culture, these big AI data centres are going to be extracting huge amounts of water and energy too. "The Albanese Government has been courting global AI companies, but where is the transparency? Australians deserve to know what deals are being struck in their name, and who truly benefits from the expansion of this industry.
“There’s a reason why these big tech companies are honing in on Australia right now - they think Australia is easy pickings. Our regulations are weak and don’t protect our communities or our resources. "Big tech moves fast, never asks questions and bamboozles governments and Australian communities are paying the price.
“Submissions to this inquiry are open now, and the committee wants to hear from everyone whose land, water or local wildlife is on the line. “We cannot allow Australia to be an unregulated playground for energy-hungry data centres without proper scrutiny, and that’s what this inquiry will provide.” For more information about the inquiry, see the home page here Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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